Director: Beer sales could help reduce Mesker Zoo deficits

A day may not be far in the future when patrons of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden can enjoy a cold beer on their trips to see the monkeys and jaguars.

But that is not the immediate intent behind a request for a liquor license by the private firm that sells food at the zoo, according to Amos Morris, zoo director. Team Service USA, a subsidiary of a private company based in Rome, is instead trying to sell alcoholic drinks at events it caters at Mesker.

The Evansville Parks Board last week agreed to allow Team Service to sell beer, wine and liquor at the zoo under a three-way liquor license. Morris said the decision opens the possibility of beer being sold during normal hours.

But zoo officials plan to proceed with caution before installing taps at concession stands. Morris said he wants to study the policies of other zoos that sell alcohol to see what restrictions they have adopted.

If sales are allowed, prices likely will be set fairly high as a way to discourage excessive drinking, he said.

Morris said one advantage of beer sales is that profits would help reduce the zoo's annual budget deficits. In 2009, for instance, the zoo spent about $3.8 million out of the Evansville Parks Department's budget while bringing in about $1.5 million in revenue.

Morris said beer sales would no doubt help to narrow that gap, but he declined to estimate by how much.

He said he has begun talking to Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel about the need to find new ways to expand and improve the local zoo. He said little has been decided but noted that about 70 percent of the accredited zoos in the country are operated under some form of public-private partnership.

Steve Bohleber, president of the Evansville Parks Board, agreed that beer sales could do much to make the zoo more independent. He suggested local officials consult with state excise police to learn what can be done to ensure Mesker Park Zoo continues to be inviting to families even as alcohol sales are allowed.